TEACHERS! STUDENTS CAN STRIKE TOO

Do the teachers think that they received justice in striking, when they outlawed their professional ethics and sanctioned the students to ransom for two days? Really! Let it be known that what they did was show their students what the students already knew. They know the mediocre teachers in the schools they attend or the exceptional teachers who are constantly there for them, even during a National strike. Have you ever wondered about the making of a good teacher or about what separates mediocre teaching from exceptional teaching? Many students have been able to answer this question for so long. This is because students study their teachers well. Students know the caring, supportive, teachers in the schools. They know what they should be “getting” from any content area and they can evaluate the effectiveness of any content area delivery independently, with their peers and with their parents. Many students are not disruptive because they want to be, the problem is that they are just not challenged by classroom teaching. Teachers have failed in motivating students to learn and as a result they strike. Their strike actions are not necessarily staying away from school, instead it is about coming to school and doing what they want to do, annoying other students, being disruptive, and failing or dropping out eventually as Jamaicans like to call it. However, when they fail they know that the teacher has failed too. Their success and achievement are the measurements of the teacher’s success and achievement. All the students who have struggled academically are all not to be labeled as “worthless”. Many were just not rightly motivated in the classroom, because teachers did what was most important to them, STRIKE FOR MORE MONEY. The teachers are instead “worthless”. They have failed in many instances to achieve a level of motivation that encourages students to be eager to learn at all cost. When our students are held at ransom for two days, how motivating can this be for them? It is the teachers then that have failed, not the students.

STOP STUDENTS FROM STRIKING.
Although many students have been successful in the classroom, still so many have failed to be academically challenged. Students strike because teachers allow them to strike. Is this because teachers have not paid attention to what is really important? To be successful in teaching the teacher must imagine him/herself doing nothing else but teaching effectively and efficiently. Teachers have to elicit a positive response from students at all levels and endeavor to insist upon success from their students. By knowing your students well they will become comfortable and they will be at ease with you. The students will then enjoy having you as their teacher and will look forward to the lesson. In order to be an effective teacher there must be time commitment. Being fair to all students, and giving them individual respect while showing concern are all important elements to creating and keeping mutual respect in the classroom. Motivational strategies must be implemented to meet the learning styles of all students. This is the key to success of all students. Teachers cannot allow academic mediocrity to play a role in the academic failure of students. Teachers have the responsibility to see that all students learn. Once this is done, students will not see the need to strike.

Instead teachers must determine to have passion for teaching if they are to prevent students from striking out of academia. Passion is the enthusiasm and energy that is exhibited from the teacher to the students so that learning can occur. This passion should be seen in each lesson as it is prepared and taught. Good teaching requires depth so that students can become independent learners; taking control of their own learning. Students should not be underestimated and with the right kind of motivation, they will do well. Teacher must remember that all students have different learning styles. However, the teacher is ultimately responsible for driving the energy needed for learning. Learning outcomes must be created to achieved the desired outcome, but should be relevant, flexible, and meaningful for the learner and facilitate positive learning behaviors. Meeting expectations among students is a must and this must be taken seriously. This is only fulfilled through the teacher’s passion for teaching anchored by a deep commitment to teaching for success. So teachers, ask yourself the question, should I really be teaching? A teacher should really not be teaching if the following are not considered and practiced seriously. Prevent your students from striking as of today.

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